43
“When of our Reign the curbing rein so light
John, son of Pedro, held with mod’erate hand;
and when his Realm had ’scaped the bane and blight
oft dealt by hate of hostile neighbour-land;
there in great England, where the rain falls white
from Boreal snow-drift, fierce Erinnys plan’d
to sow the dil’igent tares of wanton strife,
and make our Lusitania lustre-rife.
44
“Betwixt the gentle Dames of th’ English Court,
and high-born Courtier-crowd, one day it came
that horrid Discord showed her dreadful port;
of self-will sprung, or faith in common fame.
The Courtier-throng that lightly loves in sport
and careless mood to bruit the gravest shame,
sware Honour they disprov’d, and Honesty
in certain Dames, who boasted Dames to be.
45
“Nay, more, if any Knight uphold as true,
and with his brand and lance the cause defend,
in lists or rasèd field, the same should rue
foul infamy, or come to cruel end:
The woman-weakness which but little knew,
if e’er, such foul reproach, and yet which ken’d
its want of nat’ural force could only crave
their friends to succour and their kin to save.
46
“But as their sland’erers great and puissant were
throughout the kingdom, none the cause would heed;
nor kith, nor friends, nor fervid lovers dare
support the Dames in darkest hour of need:
Tempting with delicate tear and doleful air
the very Gods to rise in arms, and aid
from Heav’en, for sake of alabaster brows,
to ducal Lancaster141 the Bevy goes.
47
“This lord was English and in doughty fight
against Castile for Portugale made war,
wherein he proved the noble force and sprite
of his companions, and their fav’ouring star:
Nor less within our realm he saw the might
of Love, whose am’orous feats as forceful are,
when his fair daughter so the heart did win
of our stout King that chose her for his Queen.
48
“He who in person succour must withhold,
lest fire of civil discord thus be fan’d,
replied:—‘When I my rights upheld of old
to Spanish kingdom in th’ Iberian land,
I saw in Lusia’s sons a soul so bold,
such primacy of heart, such open hand,
that they, and only they, I deem, shall dare
with brand and firebrand for your case to care.
49
“ ‘And, if, aggrievèd Dames! ye hold it meet
I’ll send my Heralds speaking in your name,
while let your letters, courteous and discreet,
declare your insult, and bewail your shame.
Eke on your side, with pretty phrases sweet,
and soft caresses, let each injured Dame
temper her tears, and venture I to say
you shall strong succour see and steadfast stay.’
50
“Thus doth the Duke experienced speak his mind,
and of his bravest friends twelve names he quotes:
That suit’able Champion be to each assign’d,
he wills the namèd Knights be chose by lots;
because the Dames be twelve; and when they find
which Brave to which Belle-dame his life devotes,
each unto each shall write and claim her rights,
all to their King, the Duke to all the Knights.
51
“The mess’enger now in Lusia-lond arriveth;
the Court rejoiceth at such novelty:
Our King sublime to ’list the foremost striveth,
but suffereth not the kingly dignity:
No courtier but whose valiant sprite aspireth
to volunteer with fervid volunty,
and only he high favour’d is proclaimèd
whom for such noble feat the Duke hath namèd.
52
“There in the loyal City whence (’tis said
by olden Fame), arose the name eternal
of Portugalia, a nimble barque he bade
be ’quipt, who holds the helm of rule internal.
The Twelve in briefest season ready made
arms and accoutrements of use hodiernal;
helms, crests, and mottoes of choice mode they choose
horse, selle, and harness of a thousand hues.
53
“Now, when dismissèd by their King had been,
sail from the Douro regions famed afar,
the luck-loved Twelve, who did th’ approval win
of England’s Duke experienced in war.
Amid the dozen was no diff’erence seen
in chivalry, while skill and strength were par;
then one, Magriço142 hight, and only he
this way addrest the doughty company:—
54
“ ‘Valiantest comrades! longings manifold
I nurst for many a year the world t’ explore,
Rivers by Tagus nor by Douro roll’d,
various nations, laws, and varied lore:
And now that matters fit in certain mould
(since Earth of marvels hath extended store),
I would, an leave ye give, alone go round
by land, and meet you upon English ground.
55
“ ‘And, should I haply ’counter let or stay,
from Him who holds of things the ultime line,
and fail to find you on our trysting day,
scant fault to you shall bring default of mine.
You all shall do my duty in the fray;
but, an my prescient sprite the Truth divine,
ne stream, ne mount, ne jealous Fate hath pow’er
to nill I hail you at th’ appointed hour.’
56
“Thus spake Magriço and, his friends embracèd,
he fareth forwards when their leave was tane:
In Leon and Castile’s old realms he tracèd
sites patrial Mars had granted us to gain:
Navarre and all the dang’erous heads he facèd
of Pyrenee departing Gaul from Spain;
and, seen of France the highest scenes and best,
in Flanders’ grand emporium143 took his rest.
57
“There halting, or by chance or whim’s command,
for days he tarried, making much delay:
Meanwhile the stout Elev’en, a glorious band,
plow northern waters scatt’ering freezy spray.
Arrived on stranger England’s distant strand,
at once to London-town all took the way:
The Duke receives them in his festive hall,
the Dames do service, greeting one and all.
58
“Now Time and Tide are ready for the fight
with th’ English Twelve who first afield are shown,
chose by their King, right sure of every Knight:
Helms, crests, greaves, coats, and harnesses they don:
The Dames already deem the fulgent might
of Portugalia’s Mavors all their own:
In golden owche and rainbow-silks clad
and thousand jewels, sit they gay and glad.
59
“But she, who claimèd by the chance of lot,
missing Magriço, drest in mourning dyes
sits sad; for she and only she hath not
a knightly champion in this high
